Cleaning HP48 keys NON-INTRUSIVELY

[Angus]

I just got my HP48G back, and all that seems to be wrong w/it is that the B key doesn't work and the C key is flaky. I'm *praying* that the problem can be remedied by buying fresh batteries (it's giving low batteries warnings) but I'd be surprised if that works. All I've read about maintaining these calculators involves opening a device that was not designed to be opened, and I'm quite certain that'll leave me w/a non-calculator.

I'm hoping that the problem is a dusty contact. Is there any measure I can take to clean it w/out opening it up?

[Dave Britten]

It might be a problem with the keyboard ribbon cable rather than the keys themselves. If you press firmly on the bezel beneath the screen, does the key response improve?

I tried opening a 48G once to repair some issues, and honestly, I don't think it was worth the trouble. The thing looks like a mess now, so I just use it as an alarm clock. The 48G can be had cheaply enough that you might be better off just looking for another one. Or, alternatively, a 48S/SX, which are also relatively inexpensive.

[Iqbal]

I would contact fixthatcalc.com > Randy does a wonderful job, and while he is at it, ask him to increase the memory. It's worth the while. The 48G just doesnt have enough memory period.

[Angus]

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It might be a problem with the keyboard ribbon cable rather than the keys themselves. If you press firmly on the bezel beneath the screen, does the key response improve?

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Yes, that does seem to be it. If I push down on the bezel I can use the B key. Well that's good. God help me if it fails during the midterm, though. What should I be doing about this?

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I tried opening a 48G once to repair some issues, and honestly, I don't think it was worth the trouble. The thing looks like a mess now, so I just use it as an alarm clock. The 48G can be had cheaply enough that you might be better off just looking for another one. Or, alternatively, a 48S/SX, which are also relatively inexpensive.

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Inexpensive!!?? Where? Looking on eBay they go for 100s of $! I paid the better part of 200$ new 15 years ago for mine (Canadian!) My friend tried to sell one on eBay for 1$ and didn't get any bites. I wonder what she did wrong?

BTW, fixthatcalc doesn't do the 48G :(

Edited: 14 Feb 2010, 8:01 p.m. after one or more responses were posted

[Martin Pinckney]

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Inexpensive!!?? Where? Looking on eBay they go for 100s of $!

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Have you looked lately? A check today of recent completed auctions shows prices in the $30 - $70 range for excellent to mint 48G's.

[Dave Britten]

The 48GX - and frequently the 48G+ - will normally sell for at least $100. And any model with a good pile of accessories will sell for a lot. Survey software and memory cards are typically the most popular, and can push prices above $200. But a loose 48G or 48SX will often go for $50 or less. I recently got a 48SX with a 32KB card, HP EQ Library card, Pocket Professional Mathematics card, and the manuals for all of it for about $60. That was a little outside the norm, but good deals are out there.

[Bart (UK)]

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Inexpensive!!?? Where? Looking on eBay they go for 100s of $!

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Don't go for expensive BINs. Keep watching the auctions for a while and you can get yourself a good deal.